Preparatory School Curriculum

In Lady Royd Preparatory School, we provide a positive atmosphere and stimulating environment in which to develop the whole child. We seek to ensure that children have the opportunity to achieve their academic potential and that each child is happy, hard-working and well-mannered.

In the classroom, teaching methods are generally formal and our expectations of the children are high. Pupils are encouraged to develop good work habits. They can participate in a varied range of activities to develop musical, artistic and sporting skills. We are a caring school and ensure that every child plays an important role in shaping our school community.

Lady Royd has a strong, experienced teaching team. Our teachers enjoy teaching here and staff turnover is low.  Teachers are encouraged to enrich their teaching through appropriate professional development to education at Lady Royd.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Pre-Prep (Nursery ages 2-3 and Kindergarten ages 3-4)

The Lady Royd Pre-Prep Department follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Play is highly valued and central to children's care and education. Through carefully guided play activities, the children are encouraged to explore, experience, discover, practise skills and develop ideas. They are encouraged to progress physically and emotionally as well as to interact socially.

Children in the Pre-Preparatory Department are immediately integrated into the life of the school, preparing them for a smooth transition to Reception classes.

Reception (Transition ages 4-5)

The philosophy of learning through play continues in the Reception year. The children are introduced to a more formal approach to language, literature, and mathematics, with an emphasis on the teaching of phonics and correct letter formation. Mathematical learning is combined with practical activities and a published scheme. Specialist teaching begins in physical education and pupils can access our extensive extra-curricular programme.

The Preparatory School

Design Technology

Design Technology is taught as a discrete subject from KS1. Our younger pupils take great pride in their achievements.  Our older pupils take this discipline a stage further and frequently enter their work into competitions, often with great success.

English

At Lady Royd we aim to develop our pupils' abilities within an integrated programme of speaking and listening, reading and writing. Pupils are given opportunities for the reinforcement and consolidation of taught literacy skills across the curriculum.

At KS1 the children learn to speak confidently and listen to what others have to say. They begin to read and write independently and with enthusiasm. They are able to use language to explore their own experiences and imaginary worlds. Parents enjoy the opportunity to borrow our Story Sacks from our well resourced library.

At KS2 the children learn to vary the way they speak and write, in order to suit different situations, purposes and audiences. They are encouraged to read a range of text types and genres and to respond to different layers of meaning in them.  Children learn the structure of language and explore its use in narrative and non-narrative texts. We strongly encourage opportunities for public speaking and run a debating society in upper KS2.

Homework also plays a vital part of development in this area.

French

French is taught by a native French Teacher to our infant and junior pupils. At younger ages learning is achieved through practical games and activities whilst our older pupils receive more structured lessons which focus on grammar such as verb formation.

Humanities

Various topics are covered throughout the year across the key stages. Teachers use varied resources and teaching methods with educational visits playing an important role in the subjects studied.

Residential visits form an important part of the Geography curriculum at  KS2 in each year.   It is clear that these visits are thoroughly enjoyed by pupils.

Information, Communication & Technology (ICT)

At Lady Royd we are aware of the changing needs in ICT and prepare the children for their future in the digital age. Lady Royd provides specialist ICT teaching from Y1 to Y6. Pupils in the Early Years Foundation Stage have access to ICT in their rooms.

Mathematics

Mathematics is taught so that learning is exciting, and all pupils are encouraged to develop their individual abilities confidently.  At Lady Royd we follow many aspects of the New Framework guidelines for numbers and algebra, shape, space and measures, handling data and beyond.  Practical mathematics is used successfully, and children are also encouraged to learn their times tables, apply known facts and use mental strategies in their work.

Homework plays an important role in Mathematics and it is set on a regular basis.  Y6 keenly participate in the Primary Schools Maths Challenge each year.  In addition, the children enthusiastically take part in our Maths and Science Investigation Week where KS1 and KS2 children apply their mathematical skills in order to solve problems.
 

Music

Music plays a vibrant part in the life of Lady Royd and a huge percentage of pupils participate in extra curricular music activity.

All children have one music lesson per week and explore rhythm, composition and singing. In Y3, children take up the recorder.

Extra tuition, arranged during the school day, is available in violin, guitar, singing and piano. A number of music groups and ensembles are run in school these include steel pans, keyboard, choir, orchestra, recorder and guitar.

There are numerous opportunities for groups to perform to the school and the wider community. The highlight of the musical year at Lady Royd is the Spring Concert.

Physical Education (PE)

Physical Education plays a very important part in the curriculum at Lady Royd and PE is taught by specialist staff.   From Reception to Y6, children have two PE lessons each week and children from Y1 are taught to swim.

The children are encouraged to join one or more of the many extra-curricular sport clubs which Lady Royd offers. Competitive fixtures are arranged regularly against other schools in all major sports at local, regional and national levels.

Religious Education

From Y1 to Y6 children study the main world religions through a series of topics each term. These topics focus on the important festivals and tie into the themed assemblies held each week.

Science

Science is a core curriculum subject throughout the school from Infant classes to Y6.

At Lady Royd we believe that all children are naturally inquisitive and have developed our Science curriculum to encourage this curiosity.  We seek to give children opportunities to explore their surroundings and investigate the way things work and to understand the scientific ideas and processes that they can see happening around them.

At Lady Royd all children enjoy two Science lessons each week, utilising specialist teaching and excellent resources including a dedicated Science Laboratory, interactive white boards and extensive practical equipment.  Science teaching is planned and delivered in a way that engages pupils and cultivates their knowledge, skills and understanding.  Children are encouraged to think creatively and apply their learning to broader aspects of life.

We aim to help our pupils achieve excellence in a rapidly changing world and instil in them respect for the universe in which they live.

The Extra Curriculum Program

With over 25 groups and clubs available, the Extra Curricular Program is extensive.  In addition pupils have the opportunity to join the Charities Committee, the School Council or to undertake pupil duties each week.